A study published in PLOS ONE found that young Southern white rhinos produce four distinct calls, including 'Whine', 'Snort', 'Threat', and 'Pant', which are used in different social interactions. The calls have a strong innate component, suggesting that vocal development may be an innate trait rather than learned from mothers.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that adult chimpanzees exhibit more frequent and longer play sessions compared to adult lowland gorillas in captivity. This suggests a difference in their level of social cohesion, with chimpanzees living in highly cohesive groups and gorillas having lower levels of social affiliation.
The NHS Health Check programme is estimated to prevent around 300 premature deaths annually, with feasible changes potentially tripling the benefits. The programme improves population health and reduces health inequalities by targeting high-risk adults.
A randomized trial in rural India found that educating mothers on the benefits of tetanus vaccination increased immunization coverage by 43%. The intervention also improved measles vaccination rates and reduced the cost per disability-adjusted life year averted.
The special issue highlights the increasing burden of comorbidities in patients with cardiovascular disease, leading to poorer outcomes and reduced quality of life. Research findings emphasize the need for treatment guidelines tailored to multimorbidity patient groups.
Wolbachia blocks viral replication in mosquito cells by degrading viral RNA, with XRN1 playing a key role. The bacterium's ability to prevent disease transmission depends on the virus's replication rate.
Researchers develop novel cell culture strategy to investigate early stages of HPV infection, revealing key genetic information about viral life cycle. The approach enables high infection rates in keratinocytes, allowing for the study of HPV's role in cancer development.
Researchers studied Leishmania species and strains in Iraq's hot border region, finding most cases match an Iranian strain. The study highlights the need for control programs to stop the spread of leishmaniasis, a disease that infects millions worldwide.
Conservation partnerships between protected lands and their non-protected neighbors can significantly improve a region's ability to accommodate species migration in response to shifting climates. The study found that these partnerships could increase the adaptation indicators for each area by up to two orders of magnitude.
Researchers have identified a new tardigrade species Macrobiotus shonaicus sp. nov from East Asia, characterized by its solid egg surface and flexible filaments, placing it in the persimilis subgroup within the hufelandi complex. This new discovery increases the number of known tardigrade species from Japan to 168.
A study modeling cholera epidemics suggests that targeting vaccine and other interventions to areas around existing cholera cases is an effective way to control outbreaks. The results indicate that oral cholera vaccine is the most effective intervention, with a radius of 70-100 meters being optimal for administration.
Two studies found that curable STI prevalence exceeds older women and similar-aged men in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among young women. High rates of chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and trichomoniasis were also detected in young men.
Researchers found that bonobo gestures overlap extensively in meaning with those of chimpanzees, sharing up to 33 gesture types. This similarity may indicate an inherited trait or shared ancestral behavior.
Researchers have found that wearable activity data can predict various markers of risk for cardiovascular diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. The study also identified active individuals at increased risk of having enlarged hearts, a condition commonly thought only to affect competitive athletes.
New diagnostic methods were tested for intestinal schistosomiasis detection in a moderate prevalence area of Brazil. The Helmintex method showed the highest sensitivity, followed by the rapid urine test and Kato-Katz technique.
Researchers identified four new antibodies that bind to RSV's F protein, inhibiting the virus's ability to fuse with human cells. These findings could aid in vaccine development for two major viruses: RSV and its close relative hMPV.
Researchers found that using more diverse study samples can significantly improve the reproducibility of experimental results in pre-clinical animal research. By combining data from multiple studies, they showed that multi-laboratory studies produce more consistent results than single-laboratory studies.
New research reveals that all-trans-retinoic acid regulates immune system responses in the mouse intestine by controlling expression of HIC1 protein in innate lymphoid cells. This finding could lead to new strategies to protect against infection and intestinal imbalance.
A study found that self-compassion can weaken the link between perfectionism and depression in both adolescents and adults. The research suggests that self-compassion interventions could help mitigate the negative effects of perfectionism, paving the way for future experimental studies.
A new model based on ground-running birds can predict the locomotion of bipedal dinosaurs by analyzing their speed and body size. The BIRDS Model uses just two inputs to estimate stride length and force exerted per step, providing insights into extinct theropod dinosaur movement.
Researchers found that sea urchins sculpt medium-grain sandstone rock 37 times quicker than granite, with excavation rates varying greatly by rock type. The study estimated that on medium-grain sandstone reefs, sea urchins might produce almost 200 tonnes of sediment per hectare per year.
Researchers used historic and modern plant genomes to measure the rate of evolution in a wild plant. They found that Arabidopsis had been introduced to North America by Europeans around 1600, with new mutations appearing over the past 400 years. These findings provide insights into the genetic paradox of invasion.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that pediatric phase I cancer trials have improved outcomes for approximately 1 in 10 children, with a fatal drug-related complication rate of 2.09%. The study's results suggest refining risk/benefit assessments for these trials.
The 2014 Ebola outbreak had a significant impact on Liberia's healthcare system, with a 67.3% drop in clinic visits and 35.2% decrease in first ANC visits four months into the outbreak. However, health system outputs began rebounding by November 2016, with all systems exceeding pre-Ebola forecasted trends for three consecutive months.
A team of scientists has devised a general experimental scheme to identify and predict which small groups of bacterial species can help plants respond to phosphate starvation. The study demonstrates that the functional complexity of the root microbiome might be simplified by testing only a subset of all possible microbial combinations.
Scientists used a computational model to show that sepsis treatment needs multiple-step targeting for effective therapy. The study suggests 'precision medicine' is necessary due to the complexity of individual patient responses.
Researchers discover ebselen alleviates testicular symptoms and prevents sexual Zika transmission in mice. The antioxidant treatment also shows promise in preventing the virus's spread among humans.
A new mutation on the X-chromosome has been identified as a potential contributor to earlier onset ovarian cancer in women. The study also found an association between this mutation and higher rates of prostate cancer in fathers and sons.
A new study reveals genetic variations in blood vessel inflammation and drug metabolism genes increase the risk of severe dengue shock syndrome in Asians and Europeans. These genetic factors can be used to develop targeted treatments for vulnerable populations.
A study published in PLOS ONE has identified two new muscles in the horseshoe crab's pushing leg and male pedipalp using CT scans, expanding our understanding of this iconic creature's anatomy.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that nearly 60% of Anna's Hummingbirds have feather mites on their tail flight feathers, while other species show lower rates. The distribution of live mites was found to be more prevalent on outer tail feathers and often nestled between barbs.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that Zimbabwe's Savé Valley lion population has low genetic diversity due to inbreeding, which could impact its health. The authors suggest introducing new unrelated lions to enhance the population's genetic diversity and ensure its long-term future.
A study found that older adults with positive beliefs about aging have a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those with negative views. The protective effect was even observed among individuals carrying the high-risk APOE E4 gene variant.
Researchers found that individual great spotted woodpeckers can be distinguished by unique drumming patterns, including stroke speed and roll duration. Drumming also signals the quality of potential mates, as it requires well-developed back and neck muscles.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that resistance to azithromycin and ceftriaxone in China is increasing, threatening the effectiveness of dual therapy for gonorrhea treatment. The prevalence of dual resistance rose from 1.9% in 2013 to 3.3% in 2016.
A new collection captures the long-neglected human side of science through peer-reviewed stories on conservation. The collection highlights the emotional highs and lows of scientists working to preserve species and ecosystems.
Researchers used human disease pedigrees to identify genetic causes of complex diseases like multiple myeloma, finding two gene regions involved in DNA repair and packaging. This new method demonstrates the potential for pinning down genes contributing to other complex diseases, such as obesity and Alzheimer's.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that mothers over 40 have an increased risk of preterm birth, even after adjusting for confounding factors. Mothers aged 30-34 years old had the lowest risk of prematurity.
A nationwide Swedish study found that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) significantly increase the risk of dementia diagnosis for over 30 years following the injury. The risk decreases over time but remains significant, with severe TBI or multiple TBIs increasing the risk even more.
Researchers discovered that mitochondria operate at temperatures up to 50°C, contradicting the long-held assumption of 37.5°C. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of cellular processes and energy production.
The Global Polio Laboratory Network has successfully tested for soil transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis in Ghana, identifying a prevalence of 22% for combined helminth infections. The study demonstrates the potential for adapting GPLN labs for monitoring and control of neglected tropical diseases.
A study of Irish genomes reveals 23 distinct clusters separated by geography, with British ancestry influencing western populations. The research also detects genetic input from Europe and estimates the timing of historical migrations, including those of the Norse-Vikings and Anglo-Normans.
A study published in PLOS Genetics identifies a genetic link between thinner corneas and an increased risk of glaucoma in humans. The researchers found that the protein POU6F2 plays a crucial role in regulating corneal thickness and may be a potential risk factor for glaucoma.
Researchers found that coyotes preferred natural areas with high proportions of open space, while red foxes selected moderately developed areas. This spatial partitioning may promote coexistence between the two species in urban landscapes. The study's findings have implications for wildlife management in human-dominated environments.
A recent study found that tRNA fragments in mosquitoes can modulate their ability to transmit viral diseases to humans. The researchers identified 55 tRNA-derived fragments with varying expression patterns across different strains and developmental stages.
Research suggests that C-sections are associated with a decreased risk of urinary incontinence and pelvic prolapse, but an increased risk of asthma, obesity, and pregnancy complications. The study analyzed data from over 29 million participants and found mixed results on the long-term effects of C-sections.
Researchers successfully created a synthetic horsepox vaccine that offers protection against the vaccinia virus, which is associated with serious side effects. Mice immunized with the chimeric HPXV developed similar levels of protective antibodies as those inoculated with VACV, but had less severe reactions.
New research published in PLOS Pathogens reveals that certain flu virus mutations can restore fitness by adding a new sugar molecule to the hemagglutinin, enabling Goldilocks binding to the host cell. This understanding improves efforts to design more effective flu vaccines.
The DeWorm3 collection presents evidence on interrupting soil-transmitted helminth (STH) transmission. Key studies evaluate the impact of biannual mass drug administration and diagnostic tool sensitivity.
Researchers have genotyped M. bovis samples from cattle in Mozambique, revealing a deeply geographically structured diversity of the disease. The results suggest that the diversity of M. bovis is maintained within regions through constant reinfection of animals.